A parent’s guide: helping your young person choose the right university

Helping your young person choose the right university.

Choosing which university to study at is a significant decision for a young person, and parents like you often play a crucial role in advising them.

This guide aims to give you all the information you need to support them in choosing the right university. It is based on some common questions parents ask about the process.

For this guide, we’ll use the term ‘parents’ to refer to all parents, guardians and caregivers.

Can my young person meet the entry requirements?

This is arguably one of the most important things to consider when choosing a university. Their dream of studying for a medical degree may be short-lived if their predicted grades are far from the minimum entry requirements.

Different universities can have different entry requirements for a similar course, so don’t automatically presume all courses are equal or that higher entry requirements mean a better course. Differing entry requirements between universities could be for several reasons, from course structure and content to university policies and student spaces available.

It’s also worth noting that some universities might reduce their entry requirements after considering your young person’s circumstances, experiences and potential. These are called contextual offers. They are designed to make higher education more accessible, create a more diverse student body and support talent, so look out for these when doing your research.

Who is going to look after my young person at university?

Despite their reputation, many universities have significant flaws in their student welfare practices. Excessive workloads, lack of support from staff and inflexible learning structures can contribute to high levels of stress and mental health issues for students.

You want to know that your young person will receive the support they need to settle in, make friends and succeed on their course. So do your research and see if their shortlisted universities offer any of the following:

• Wellbeing support
• One-to-one support
• Studies support
• Career and skills development support
• Disability support
• Settling in support
• Adequate safety and security on campus.

Can we afford it?

While at university, your young person will likely face two main costs: tuition fees and living costs. Much of the cost of these can be covered by the following two student finance loans:

You will also need to consider the type of course they are applying for. Courses with a foundation year, condensed first year or integrated master’s may affect how student finance is calculated and paid. You can find out more about applying for student finance.

When will my young person pay back student finance loans?

They will need to start repaying their loans once they start earning. When and how much they pay back depends on lots of things, such as:

• the repayment plan they are on
• their annual income
• the interest rate on the loan
• how quickly they want to pay the loan off.

Full details on repaying student loans can be found on the UK government's Repaying your student loan webpage.

Where will my young person live?

Moving away from home for the first time is a big deal for many young people. You won’t be there to keep an eye on them, so you need peace of mind when it comes to where they live.
When shortlisting universities and looking at first-year accommodation options, think about the following:

1. Safety and security: does the accommodation have 24/7 security?
2. Location: can they walk to lectures and shops easily?
3. Affordability: are the costs all-inclusive or are there hidden extras?
4. Facilities: will they have easy access to laundry facilities and free Wi-Fi?
5. Community: is there a good social environment and social spaces?
6. Choice and availability: what type of rooms are available? Are there suitable contract lengths and can a university guarantee accommodation?

Tour shortlisted accommodation

Seeing is believing, so make sure you take a tour of your shortlisted universities' accommodation options. Universities should include tours as an option on an Open Day.

Tours are a great way to:

• compare accommodation and room types
• check out the local area
• speak to students already living in student accommodation
• find out what activities there are to help your young person get involved and make friends.

Isn’t the university application process complicated?

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) processes applications for undergraduate courses.
At first glance, the process can seem daunting. You and our young person can start the UCAS application process around a year before they are due to start university, so this gives you plenty of time to understand what needs to be done and seek advice if needed.
We’ve put together an ultimate guide to the UCAS process to help you.

How will I know if my young person will make friends at university?

It’s normal to worry about them being alone and not making friends. Just remember that every new student is in the same boat. The chances are there will be more chances to meet new people and get involved in social activities than they can handle! Here are a few suggestions you can discuss with them:

As your young person embarks on this new adventure, remember to celebrate their achievements, offer encouragement during challenges, and be there to listen without judgment. Your unwavering support will undoubtedly make a significant difference to their university experience.

For more tailored advice and support, consider attending university Open Days or contacting the university’s admissions team.